Klopp gives update on Jota’s future as Liverpool’s injury crisis worsens
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The Europa League last 16 draw is set with Liverpool, West Ham, Brighton and Rangers ready to learn their opponents.
Uefa will conduct the draw this morning in Nyon, following the conclusion of the play-offs, where third-placed Champions League sides entered the competition. Other contenders are Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen, who are racing away with the Bundesliga this season, while AC Milan, Atalanta, Benfica and Villarreal could also be threats.
The Reds, like the other three British teams, topped their group and are now the favourites in their pursuit of a famous quadruple, according to the bookmakers, followed by Leverkusen and Milan.
Follow the last 16 draw and reaction as Jurgen Klopp eyes glory in Dublin to end his reign at Anfield:
Europa League last 16 draw
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Europa League last 16 draw: Who are the seeded and unseeded teams?
Jack Rathborn23 February 2024 08:59
Jurgen Klopp compares Liverpool’s ‘thunderstorm’ win over Luton with famous comeback against Barcelona
Jurgen Klopp broke his promise. A few months ago, he had vowed to stop talking about his greatest comeback, his greatest night. There can be a temptation to mention the most famous of his 472 games in charge of Liverpool, in part because it combined so many of the elements that have defined his reign. But after another four-goal comeback, he reached for the ultimate in his search for something reminiscent.
“I promised my team a few months ago that I would never mention the Barcelona game as an example and I used it again today so I broke my promise,” he said. “Just because this game was, before the game, kind of similar.”
It is not often Luton Town find themselves bracketed with Barcelona. It was the shared sense of adversity that prompted Klopp to make the comparison. He likes the idea of limitless possibilities, of making the improbable possible and then actual. Liverpool were underdogs against Barcelona and they definitely were not against Luton, they trailed by three goals to Lionel Messi and co and just one to Carlton Morris and his colleagues, but these were Liverpool sides with a difference, both depleted by injury.
Jack Rathborn23 February 2024 08:47
Xabi Alonso has ‘nothing new to say’ about Liverpool and Bayern Munich links
Alonso has been heavily linked with the Liverpool job since Jurgen Klopp announced last month he would step down at the end of the campaign, but the Premier League club now face competition from Bayern Munich.
It was revealed on Wednesday that current Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel will leave his position at the conclusion of the season – increasing the scrutiny on Alonso.
Jack Rathborn23 February 2024 08:40
What time is the Europa League last 16 draw?
Europa League sides are set to find out their last-16 opponents when the draw takes place on Friday.
There will be plenty of Premier League interest, with Liverpool, West Ham and Brighton all safely through to the round of 16 after finishing top of their respective groups.
The English trio, alongside the other five group winners, are joined in the draw by the eight other teams who made it through the play-off round.
The play-off second legs concluded on Thursday and saw those who finished second in their Europa League group face a side who finished third in their respective Champions League group.
Jack Rathborn23 February 2024 08:33